We are sitting in a unique situation this year; there are several factors that would make me salivate to have the Chiefs GM job going into 2013. We have a relatively talented team (except at QB), plenty of cap room, a new (really nice) stadium, and an owner that has shown he's willing to spend the money necessary to win - and did I mention the #1 pick?
(Yeah, I know it's not locked in yet, but go with me on this...)
There are no guarantees, but this is the type of situation where a GM could step in, get a couple of critical decisions right, and make a career name for himself. If I was that GM, I would be focused on my HC and my QBOTF.
Leaving the HC decision aside for the moment, the QB situation is actually easier to resolve. Use the #1 pick on a QB, then use your top pick in the 2nd round on whichever of these QBs is still on the board:
- Smith
- Wilson
- Glennon
- Murray
- Bray
- Nassib
The only way this doesn't work is if 6 QBs are taken in the first round - that hasn't happened in a while and I doubt it happens this year (and I'm not even including Barkley into the mix).
Now, as incredibly genius as this sounds, It could bring about challenges in developing a true #1 QB. Do you want your guy constantly looking over his shoulder afraid to make the high risk/high reward type of decision so common to the great QBs?
I believe the healthy way to make this work is to also bring in a FA QB. Whether he starts the first two games or not is irrelevant - he's there to set an example and mentor both rookies.
You tell your first rounder that he's your guy and he's got a season to prove it. Unless you do something incredibly immature (like chase girls instead of memorizing the playbook) you don't need to look over your shoulder - for now.
You tell your second rounder that his job is to show he should be an NFL starter in his second year - either here or for another team.
There are no guarantees in life, but if I was an aspiring GM that was looking to make a name for myself and set my family up for life this is exactly what I'd do.